SARS-CoV-2 Envelope Protein Impairs Airway Epithelial Barrier Function and Exacerbates Airway Inflammation via Increased Intracellular Cl− Concentration

The pathological effects of SARS-CoV-2 E protein on airway epithelial barrier function, Cl− transport and the robust inflammatory response remain to be elucidated. Scientists demonstrated that E protein down-regulated the expression of tight junctional proteins, leading to the disruption of the airway epithelial barrier.